Technique – MBR

Technique: Listen to your friends (sometimes!)

Sean White — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 08:27:14 +0000

Experienced riders can be a goldmine of advice if you're new to the sport... here's how to sift out the genuine nuggets.

Improve your technique

Words: Andy Barlow Photos: Andy McCandlish Advice for riding faster or handling more technical trails is everywhere. YouTube videos, forums, …Continue reading »

How to bunny hop a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 07:37:39 +0000

As well as looking pretty damn cool, the bunny hop is the Swiss Army Knife of mountain bike manoeuvres. It’s not how high you can hop but how you’re getting off the ground that really counts.

Learning how to bunny hop and quickly create lift will allow you to smooth out trails by using obstacles to your advantage, as well as impressing mates.

How to get the most out of your visit to a bike park

Andy Barlow — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:15:32 +0000

Looking forward to uplifts, table tops, jumps, berms and turns galore? Make the most of your visit, perfect these skills, and elevate your ride level.

Once the preserve of downhillers, now trail riders are filling the minibuses, drawn by the promise of a month's worth of descending in just one day.

Clipless versus flats: which pedal system is best for mountain biking?

Jamie Darlow — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:00:06 +0000

Should you choose flat pedals or clipless pedals for riding? The answer is either obvious... or a little more nuanced, since it depends a lot on what you're trying to do.

Clipless versus flats. Can clipless help us with better power, control and efficiency? We jumped onto the Wattbike and found a big difference.

Be a better rider: how to choose the best line

Andy Barlow — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:07:10 +0000

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

E-bike skills every electric mountain bike rider should master

Andy Barlow — Tue, 23 May 2023 06:03:30 +0000

Andy Barlow from Dirt School takes those essential mountian bike tips that make for a smooth ride, and translates them across to electric mountain bikes, explaining the tweaks that make them work

Whether you’re new to e-bikes or you’ve been riding them since the year dot, getting the best skills advice on …Continue reading »

Essential electric mountain bike skills – the basics

Andy Barlow — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 05:22:21 +0000

Make the most of your e-bike by mastering a few key skills - then reap the rewards with easier climbs, better handling, longer rides and a whole lot more fun

There’s no denying that you can do more on an e-bike. The more people who try them the more people …Continue reading »

Learn how to master the wheelie with Andy Barlow from Dirt School

Andy Barlow — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:28:37 +0000

The wheelie is a classic bike skill, and it's not just cool - it's great for handling all sorts of technical terrain.

Try to keep the pedal strokes going as the forward momentum will help you balance

The wheelie is one of the most iconic bike tricks, and while it’s obviously a lot of fun and always …Continue reading »

How to endo on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 06:18:46 +0000

The endo: a classic mountain bike move that's as practical as it is stylish. Master it, and you'll master steep terrain and navigating hairpin bends.

The endo doesn’t just look cool; it’s a next-level skill that has lots of applications. Use it to navigate tight …Continue reading »

How to ride down steep descents on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 08:33:02 +0000

Looking to boost your confidence and control when the terrain heads down and starts to get steep? Andy Barlow from Dirt School breaks down the essential techniques you need to master gravity.

Riding on steep and technical trails is always a combination of managing grip, body position, balance and confidence…all of which …Continue reading »

Why track stands are useful and how to do them

Andy Barlow — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:49:29 +0000

Learn to track stand on your mountain bike and you’ll improve your range of motion, balance, confidence, and control

Looking at a fixed point on the ground is a great way of keeping your balance under control

It takes time, humility and lot of determination to really get your head around track stands, but the satisfaction of finally getting them is addictive.

How to ride smooth and clean on steep, technical, slippery trails

Andy Barlow — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 08:07:28 +0000

When the trails get wet, loose and rooty and grip is in short supply, it's important to clean up your technique, find traction where you can, and a smooth everything out.

Manualling off fast drops will keep your front end high and mean that both of your wheels can come down smoothly at the same time

Autumn is here. The trails are wetter, roots and rocks seem to be everywhere, and the ground that once provided …Continue reading »

Common mistakes road cyclists make when switching to mountain bikes

Andy Barlow — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 13:30:28 +0000

Looking to developing your road bike handling skills? These are the common mistakes you'll want to avoid, with advice from expert MTB coaches

Get lower than you thought possible and make space to move on the bike.

Ex-pro road rider James McCallum learns to take the rough with the smooth by controlling his body position.

How to ride faster without taking more risks

Andy Barlow — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:00:32 +0000

Let’s look at a game plan that will allow you to carry speed and set quicker times without increasing the chances of crashing.

Building speed

Let’s look at a game plan that will allow you to carry speed and set quicker times without exposing you to more risk.

How to maximise stability when push comes to shove on singletrack

Andy Barlow — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:00:15 +0000

If the secret in going fast is being a confident rider, then the secret to confidence is control.

Be stable

If the secret in going fast is being a confident rider, then the secret to confidence is control.

How to find your flow when mountain biking

Andy Barlow — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:22:48 +0000

Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to get there, with some some deliberate techniques and skills to focus on. Follow his expert advice to effortlessly trickle down your local trails.

How to find your flow

Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to get there, with some some deliberate techniques and skills to focus on. Follow his expert advice to effortlessly trickle down your local trails.

How to climb up (almost) anything on an e-bike

Mick Kirkman — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 10:39:32 +0000

E-bike climbing skills. Power on tap and extra weight demand a different approach to get the best out of your e-bike, especially on steep climbs and steps.

E-bike climbing skills

E-bike climbing skills. Power on tap and extra weight demand a different approach to get the best out of your e-bike, especially on steep climbs and steps.

E-bike skills: wield your e-bike like precision tool instead of blunt instrument

Mick Kirkman — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:19:14 +0000

Learn how to increase control and power on your e-bike, with one of the world's best trials rider as your coach - Chris Akrigg.

Going with the flow

Learn how to increase control and power on your e-bike, with one of the world's best trials rider as your coach - Chris Akrigg.

I went to a mountain bike skills coach and this is what I learnt

Ben Smith — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 10:14:07 +0000

We head along to a mountain bike coaching day with multiple national champ and DH racer Katy Curd to regain some trail zen.

Getting a coach to film and review your technique is a godsend for getting you back up to speed

We head along to a mountain bike coaching day with multiple national champ and DH racer Katy Curd to regain some trail zen.

Women’s mountain bike skills 101

Mountain Bike Rider — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 08:11:06 +0000

New riders or seasoned veterans alike should brush up on their basics, here’s how to get started with coach Katy Curd.

New riders or seasoned veterans alike should brush up on their basics, here’s how to get started with coach Katy Curd.

Hone your trail-riding by getting specific and setting targets

Andy Barlow — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:56:23 +0000

Get some goals!

With summer just round the corner and dry trails on the horizon again, make the best possible use of your time by setting some deliberate goals and making good progress.

Mountain bikes have changed but outdated advice lives on

Andy Barlow — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:02:28 +0000

We reassess yesterday’s received wisdom to make sure it works for you on the trails today.

We reassess yesterday’s received wisdom to make sure it works for you on the trails today.

More bike skills you can practice in your garden

Andy Barlow — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 12:04:50 +0000

Endos and roll-backs can prove seriously useful when you get back on the trails

02. Let the rear wheel swing outward and round, help it with your legs too. Turn the bars as you and your rear end are swinging round

Spending time learning how to play on your bike will mean that, once you're out on the trails, you have better familiarity and more control.

How to go for a bike ride in your back garden

Danny Milner — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:00:44 +0000

MTB skills you can practise anywhere

If you're not supposed to be out mixing with the general public at the moment, you can still go for a ride. If you have a back garden anyway.

Pedals level or outside foot down?

Paul Burwell — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:54:13 +0000

Why keeping your feet level often generates more grip, speed and stability

Take a look at these images, you can see that with your feet level you’re creating a wider stance, which is much less likely to become imbalanced.

Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but also improve your trailcraft

Andy Barlow — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:54:50 +0000

Car park skills!

Wheelies, back hops and cutties are fun but will also improve your trailcraft, so stop being self-conscious and upgrade your skills by relearning how to play.

Are your brake levers too far out? Take this test

Paul Burwell — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:27:13 +0000

First joint of index finger + lever hook = perfect set-up

First joint of index finger + lever hook = perfect set-up

The problem with brake levers is they’re designed around average sizes and come pre-set position. Tune in your reach to upgrade your control.

You’ve been braking incorrectly all this time and now it’s time to sort it out

Andy Barlow — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:08:16 +0000

Braking bad habits

Braking is about so much more than just stopiing, or taking the fear out of speed. Use your brakes with skill and style and you'll be faster and safer.

How to get better at cornering a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 10:55:05 +0000

Cornering can be one of the most satisfying experiences you can have. How can you improve your game plan so that you can ensure you always get it right?

Cornering can be one of the most satisfying experiences you can have. How can you improve your game plan so that you can ensure you always get it right?

What most mountain bikers are really scared of: gap jumps and doubles

Andy Barlow — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 11:05:47 +0000

Table to gap anyone?

From rooty sections to fallen trees, depressions to drainage ditches - here's how to jump gaps with confidence.